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Location:
Madurai
(Pandya
Naadu)
Vishnu: Koodalazhagar
Taayaar: Madhuravalli
Theertham:Hema Pushkarini, Vaigai
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar, Tirumazhisaialwar
Vimaanam:,
Travel Base:Madurai
Description This Divya Desam
is located in the heart of Madurai. Madurai is known primarily for its
grand temple dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswarar,
which overshadows the Tevarastalam Tiru Aappanoor and
the Divya Desam Tirukkoodal. Pictured above, is one of the gopurams
of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple (Tirukkoodalaalavaai).
Tirumangaialwar mentions
Kozhi (Uraiyur) and Koodal in a verse while Tirumazhisai
Alwar mentions Koodal along with Tiruvenkatam in a verse.
Perialwar is said to have sung Pallandu at Koodal. Kallazhagar is enshrined
at Azhagar Koyil, and Srivilliputtur
enshrines Kattazhagar, while Madurai enshrines Koodalazhagar.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Koodalazhagar in a seated posture facing east, while
Taayaar is Madhuravalli in a separate sanctum. The name Koodal stems from
the legend that at the behest of Vishnu, four clouds gathered at Madurai
in the form of tall buildings, and prevented a deluge from overpowering
the city.
The temple:
This temple covers an area of about 2.5 acres. This is a beautiful temple,
with interesting stone grills and sculptures. One can climb up and take
a closer look at the Ashtanga Vimanam which enshrines Pallikonda Perumal
in one of its levels, and Surya Narayanan in a standing posture in the
other. This aspect of a vimanam enshrining three different postures of
Vishnu is similar to that at the Vaikuntha Perumaal temple
at Kanchipuram. This vimanam which dwarfs the rajagopuram (as in Tirukkoshtiyur)
is of great beauty; stucco images depicting scenes from the epics
are noteworthy. Imposing stone walls surround the temple. There are also
shrines to Lakshminarasimhar, Ramar, Krishnar, Andal. The Navagrahams
are enshrined here, a feature not seen in Vaishnavite temples.
Festivals:
Six worship services are offered each day. The annual festival is celebrated
in the month of Vaikasi, during which Dasavataram is enacted. Also celebrated
are the Maasi Teppa Utsavam, Aadi Pooram, Krishna Jayanti, Purattasi Garuda
Sevai, Navaratri, Kartikai and Vaikuntha Ekadasi.
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